Tight, physical and defensive.

That about describes Tuesday evening’s District 11 3A girls soccer quarterfinal between Lehighton and Pottsville.

Despite the Tide generating the majority of the game’s scoring chances, the Indians made the most of their opportunities in riding a two-goal outing from freshman Claire Bridy to pull out a 2-1 victory.

After coming off a tough loss in the Colonial League playoffs against Northwestern, Lehighton found itself back at home — possibly for the final time this season — with a new goal.

A district title.

As the reigning 3A champions, Pottsville was tasked with defending its title with a much younger squad after losing 12 seniors to graduation last year.

“We only had 20 total players for JV and varsity, and I think six or seven (were) freshmen,” said Tide coach Bob Stock. “Our numbers are way down, so the girls had to step up.”

The game kicked off with the Tide imposing its physicality and defensive structure immediately. The Indians kept their defense tight, and forced shots from the opposition from far range. Junior goalkeeper Cassidy Litts also did her job in net for the Tribe, stopping six first-half shots and nine overall.

Despite shots being in heavy favor of the visitors, neither team gave any room for high-quality scoring chances.

Needing to capitalize on the few opportunities available, the home team managed to break through with just 1:21 left in the half. After being stopped on a previous rushing attempt, Bridy used her speed to beat a Pottsville defender to the outside, and snuck a low shot in to break the scoreless tie.

The lead didn’t last long, as the Tide responded just 31 seconds later.

Sophomore Riley Davis battled to get loose from multiple Lehighton defenders, before turning and wiring home the game-tying goal to close out the first frame.

“I was very proud that they bounced back after that goal went in,” said coach Stock. “That was a huge lift for them to score under a minute in the first half.”

Despite the tie score, the Indians knew they needed to match Pottsville’s physicality for any chance to be successful.

“You really have to fight back,” said Bridy about playing against a physical team. “If they throw a shoulder, you have to throw a shoulder (back). It takes a lot of heart for you to do that, but that’s all a mindset, and I think we’re all really developing that.”

That mentality paid off for Lehighton, as its aggressiveness and willingness to play a more gritty style helped cut down offensive chances for the Tide.

“We outshot them, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the net,” said Stock. “That’s kind of been our fall all year. (We) can’t put the ball in the net.”

While not many chances came for the Indians, they certainly made the most of them, including one from a defensive clearance that made all the difference.

Just less than eight minutes into the second half, Bridy stole the ball from a Pottsville defender and went in alone to put away the breakaway tally and put the Tribe on top 2-1.

The remainder of the half was all about draining the clock as Lehighton went fully conservative defensively, while also maintaining its physical presence.

Litts denied the few Tide chances that came her way, and the Indians held on to advance to the district semifinals.

“That just speaks to the heart,” said Indians’ head coach Carl Wolter. “That’s volumes and volumes of heart that our team has. They just stuck together. They never quit. That’s what we do. We don’t quit.”

Among the individual performances that helped propel Lehighton to victory, the girls are all about how important they play as a team as their motto to success.

“I feel like I did great overall, but I honestly couldn’t have done it without my defense,” said Litts. “When we lose, I feel like a lot of it’s on me. But every time they pick me up, they tell me, ‘We’re a team.’ So when we win, we’re still a team.”

NEXT CHALLENGE … Lehighton will travel to Northern Lehigh, the host of the district semifinals, where it will face top-seeded Blue Mountain. “I’m definitely not expecting an easy game, but if we played how we did tonight, I for sure feel that we definitely have a shot,” said Bridy.

Lehighton 2, Pottsville 1

Pottsville 1 0 - 1

Lehighton 1 1 - 2

Goals: Pottsville - Riley Davis 1; Lehighton - Claire Bridy 2; Shots: Pottsville - 14; Lehighton - 4; Saves: Pottsville - Julie Stock 1; Lehighton - Cassidy Litts 9; Corners: Pottsville - 5; Lehighton - 1.

Records: Pottsville (9-9-1); Lehighton (12-7).